Alphonse Areola, West Ham’s 33-year-old goalkeeper, looks increasingly likely to walk out for free next summer, and honestly, can anyone blame the club for considering it? With his contract running until June 2027, plus a year option, the Hammers are facing a tough call on a keeper who’s currently watching every game from the sidelines.
The Benchwarmer’s Bill Is Getting Wild
This season, Areola’s role has flipped completely. He is an unused substitute in every early Championship and EFL Cup match, without a single minute played. Think about that for a second. This guy, who’s been at Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, who won the 2023 Europa Conference League with West Ham, is now stapled to the bench. Mads Hermansen has taken over the main goalkeeping spot, leaving Areola as a very expensive spectator. We’re talking an estimated wage of £120,000 per week, according to Capology. Even with a relegation-related reduction to £60,000 per week, West Ham is still shelling out roughly £240,000 every four weeks for a player recording zero competitive minutes. After losing their 14-year Premier League stay and getting relegated, that money has to matter elsewhere, right?
Conference League Hero to Costly Reserve
It’s hard to forget Areola’s glory days with the Hammers. He joined permanently in 2022 after a loan, signing a five-year deal with an additional year option, and he was massive in their major European success. He started West Ham’s 2023 Europa Conference League final victory over Fiorentina and made 15 appearances in that competition during the campaign. He’s got five France caps, incredible experience. His shot-stopping is still a genuine asset, no doubt. But what good is all that experience and skill if you can’t get on the pitch? Reports of concerns with his crosses and distribution don’t help his tactical argument either. Keeping an expensive reserve goalkeeper with his contract winding down looks almost impossible to justify, especially now.
West Ham has a strong case for letting Areola walk rather than trying to extend his stay. His contract ends in June 2027, and with that hefty salary and zero playing time, the club simply can’t afford to be sentimental. It’s time for West Ham to make the hard decision and focus those funds on players who are actually contributing on the field. The future of the club demands financial prudence, not an expensive benchwarmer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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